22/12/2010

Brie & mushroom open puff pastry tart

Very easy to make for a quick lunch ready in less than fifteen minutes.

briemushroompastry

Serves 4
Ingredients:-
- 1 Jus Rol ready rolled puff pastry sheet
- 50g brie
- handful of mushrooms
- salad/rocket for serving

To do:-
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6.
2. Place a large sheet of greaseproof paper on a baking tray and lay out your puff pastry sheet. I used the Jus Rol variety so didn't need to do anything to it.
3. Cut the brie in small pieces and distribute evenly. Slice the mushrooms and do the same. Remember to leave about half an inch gap around the whole edge to allow the pastry to "puff up".
4. Bake in the oven for about ten minutes, the outside should be nice and golden.
5. Cut into four squares and serve with salad if desired.


Notes: Veganize this: Jus Rol puff pastry sheets are vegan so the options are endless, simply omit the cheese or replace with your favourite vegan variety and experiment with veggies, nuts, different sauces to make quick delicious lunches.

19/12/2010

Homemade potato wedges

A really easy accompaniment to a main meal or as a hot snack with dips/salad.

potato wedges

Serves 1 or 2
Ingredients:-
- 4 or 5 potatoes, I used Maris Piper ones
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper for seasoning

How to:-
1. Preheat oven to 200C/Gas 6.
2. Line a baking tray with foil and grease it with oil.
3. Wash/scrub the potatoes and cut into wedges. Toss in some olive oil and spread evenly on the baking tray.
4. Cook for around 35-45 minutes, turning at intervals to ensure they cook evenly.
5. Season with salt & pepper and serve.


Notes: Cooking time will vary depending on how thick you cut the wedges; thicker ones will take longer. For a spicy seasoning, dust on some paprika during the last five/ten minutes of baking time. My favourite vegan condiments for dipping are Reggae Reggae BBQ/Jerk sauce and Tiger Tiger Garlic Mayo.

04/12/2010

Fast food: Tortilla pizzas with rocket

My kitchen is cold, it's snowing outside and I want something hot, fast and relatively low-fat and healthy. Tortilla pizzas to the rescue! Seriously, these take like two minutes to prepare and eight minutes to cook. Lunch is served.

tortilla pizza

Serves 1
Ingredients:-
- Wholemeal tortilla
- About 50g of light/low-fat mozarella
- Tomato puree paste
- Basil & oregano - best if you can use fresh but dried is fine
- Rocket to serve
- Olive Oil to serve

How to:-
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas6
2. Line a baking tray with foil and lightly grease with oil.
3. Place the tortilla on the foil and using the back of a spoon, spread the tomato paste evenly.
4. If using fresh basil/oregano, chop finely - if using dried just shake a little all over.
5. Tear the mozarella and place all over, you can shred it if preferred.
6. Bake for around eight-ten minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and the base is crispy.
7. Serve with a handful of rocket and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.


Notes: Veganize this by using vegan mozarella. You can play around with the toppings and use whatever you like.